Klarinet Archive - Posting 000365.txt from 2004/04
From: "rien stein" <rstein@-----.nl>
Subj: Re: [kl] motivation
Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 17:53:47 -0400
"Keith" <100012.1302@-----.com> wrote
>>
But I heard an incredible piece of advice from a
professional at a recent workshop, which casts some light on attitudes (mine
anyway) and how they can be trained.
"Amateurs practice a piece till they get it right. Professionals practice
till they can't get it wrong".
<<
Thanks for the tip, Keith. You won't believe it maybe, but at age 60 I have
begun to make the change-over from the "amateur"attitude to the
"professional" attitude!
Maybe some on this list know I always looked at my playing as that of a very
mediocre amateur. But in the spring of last year my teacher made me study
"Abîme des oiseaux" from Messiaen, and within a week I could play it, well,
sufficiently, i.e. without playing the wrong notes. Then she made me study
"In Freundschaft", written by Stockhausen. Took me four weeks of intensive
study, but somehow I managed. Then she gave me a cd with her final
examination. Those two works were on it.
In January the conductor of one of the bands I play with handed out the
"Concertino" by Weber. When he started to do so I said: "Oh, I know that
one, give me the solo part." "No", he said, "you don't know this one, it is
for oboe", but gave me the soloist part nonetheless. I had never seen or
heard the piece! But I played it, nonetheless, with only minor errors.
I still didn't think much better of my playing, but then my teacher told me
some day she had heard the "Quator pour la fin du temps" in the radio, and
she preferred my way of playing "Abîme des oiseaux".
That suddenly changed the way I looked at my playing! I decided to enter
conservatory (if possible, I am 60!), and study with Herman Braune. At the
NERV convention (I reported about it) I spoke to Herman, but he said there
will be no chance, as I am too old. At that moment I decided I will *not be
able to make a mistake anymore* and at my old age be able to play in public.
The first test will come May 4, when in this country we conmemorate the
people killed during WWII: when the organising committee asked me whether I
knew someone who could do something special on that occasion I told them I
can play the "Abîme" and am willing to do so. And at this moment I know I
can do it right, but do not yet quite have the feeling I cannot do it wrong,
but by the time I have to play it I am sure I will have the feeling I cannot
do it wrong.
Though probably I could not have it expressed that way.
Sorry for this long mail.
Rien
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